Page 45 - Christ and Culture Textbook

Exodus. 21:22 …If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth
prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him,
and he shall pay as the judges decide.

Interpretations of a contested passage.
(1) Accidental contact caused fatal miscarriage; comparison impossible
(2) Violence (negligence) caused a miscarriage – a mere fine shows that full value is absent.
(3) A live birth, not a miscarriage. Fine is for endangerment, showing the value of the baby.

Theological Considerations
a. The glorification of God through disabled persons – John 9:3
b. The sovereignty of God – Romans 8:28

Logical Considerations
a. Abortion destroys vast human potential
b. Abortion is a cruel procedure
(1) Dilation and Curettage
(2) Suction abortion
(3) Saline abortion
(4) Hysterotomy
(5) Heart injection and evacuation
(6) Partial birth abortion
(7) Oral capsule
c. The relativity of the time when life becomes “worthy.”
d. It is universally accepted that life begins at conception
e. Attempted abortions may result in live births
f. There is significant emotional and physical risk involved
g. Many potential adoptive parents are in waiting

A Christian Response to Abortion.
The unborn are God’s creation and he is shaping their live. We should not, therefore take it upon
ourselves to end their lives. Instead, we should encourage those who are seeking abortions to consider
other options such as adoption. We should also provide physical and financial help to those who are
being driven to abortion by economic need. I agree with Norman Geisler’s conclusion on abortion: “an
embryo or fetus is an individual human life. It is not part of the mother’s body, as is evidenced by the
following facts: The embryo has his or her own sex. If he is a boy, he is definitely different from his
mother. The fetus has his or her own individual fingerprints. The fetus has his or her own DNA, which is
different from the mother’s. If a dark-skinned embryo is transplanted into a light-skinned woman’s
womb, she will have a dark-skinned baby. Embryos can be conceived in a petri dish, but they are clearly
not part of the dish. Likewise, a baby in his or her mother’s womb is not part of the mother. He or she is
an individual human being who is nesting there until birth. Again, an embryo or fetus is an innocent
human being. He or she has not committed any crime or even been charged with any crime. Abortion is
an intentional act of capital punishment on a living, innocent human being, who, if given the chance,
would certainly not consent to being murdered. We can confidently say that abortion fits all the
qualifications of an act of murder because it intentionally ends the life of an innocent human being. The
embryo has his or her own sex. If he is a boy, he is definitely different from his mother. The fetus has his
or her own individual fingerprints. The fetus has his or her own DNA, which is different from the

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